Netherlands gets Avatar Forest

The Netherlands will have a so-called Avatar forest in Bentwoud forest Zoetermeer.

The forest is part of the Avatar Home Tree Initiative – a Global Effort to Plant One Million Trees in Honor of the movie Avatar, is an initiative of the American film director James Cameron and film company 20th Century Fox, the foundation wAarde from Beek in Nijmegen and Dutch National Forestry.

Stichting wAarde, or the Earth Value Foundation, will work with local youth to plant trees in areas around Amsterdam and Utrecht. The trees planted will not only engage youth and communities in learning about their local environment, but will also improve air quality, create healthier outdoor spaces and restore urban habitats for wildlife.

James Cameron already planted one million trees in Brazil last April. But the director has said Earth needs at least a billion more trees — not a million, and he’s enlisting 15 more countries to follow his lead, including the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is also the only country in the world with a special Avatar forest that includes paths and dream places, which also occurred in the movie.

Young people can be co-owners themselves of the Avatar forest by donating 10 euros and get a certificate that is good for planting a tree.

Students in Amsterdam will kick off the campaign in the Diemerbos where they will plant willows funded by Cameron. A second ‘Avatar forest’ comes to New Vennep. In April next year will start planting in the Avatarbos Bentwoud.

The Avatar Home Tree Initiative, announced by director James Cameron will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development on six continents, while also increasing public recognition of the vital role that trees play in preserving life on Earth.

The 17 projects were selected by Earth Day Network based on the strengths of each organization and the benefits they provide to local environments and people in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Haiti, Mexico and Belgium.